25/09/2020 - Rodrigo Sorogoyen and his usual gang of collaborators have crafted a vibrant six-episode series that unnerves, surprises and entertains in equal measure, incorporating the best of his previous films

Raúl Prieto, Raúl Arévalo and Hovik Keuchkerian in Riot Police

If it didn’t last a total of 304 minutes and it weren’t a series divided into half a dozen episodes – each one named after one of its characters – Riot Police [+see also:
interview: Rodrigo Sorogoyen
series profile], helmed with nerves of steel and some serious guts by Rodrigo Sorogoyen, would not only be able to compete for the Golden Shell at the 68^th San Sebastián International Film Festival, where it is presently being presented, but it would also be in with a very good chance of winning a prize.

(The article continues below - Commercial information)

That’s because, and let’s make this clear from the outset, it knocks you out. Cold. Built on a hard-as-nails screenplay penned by the director and his regular partner at the keyboard Isabel Peña, and with the addition of Eduardo Villanueva to enhance the writing team, it begins as a case of abuse of authority and ends up veering into a whirlwind of violence and corruption, with a frantic pace and a brutal mise-en-scène.

Buoyed by a powerful soundtrack by Olivier Arson and some spritely editing by Alberto del Campo, the series sticks like beads of sweat to the uniforms of a squad of policemen, who will have to struggle with their consciences as they comply with several dubious orders that they’re not sure will be effective. They thus become embroiled in a conflict that will be investigated by the internal affairs department and that will be nothing more than a thread they will follow, leading them to uncover a stinking and corrupt bigger picture.

But Sorogoyen doesn’t only focus on railing against corruption, as he did in The Realm [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Rodrigo Sorogoyen
interview: Rodrigo Sorogoyen, Isabel P…
film profile], or giving us a glimpse of the less photogenic side of the Spanish capital, as was the case in May God Save Us [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Rodrigo Sorogoyen
film profile], but rather – as well as taking the viewer for a ride in the Puma 93 squad’s armoured car – he digs deep into the personalities, the shortcomings and the dark sides of his characters, laying bare their flaws and reminding us that behind every baton or shield, there is a man or a woman with desires, dreams, frustrations and principles.

In addition, actors Vicky Luengo (in the role of a Little Red Riding Hood forced to contend with a pack of wild animals), Raúl Arévalo (who outdoes himself with every new performance) and Roberto Álamo (sensitive behind his rugged facade) – in perfect harmony with Álex García, Raúl Prieto, Patrick Criado and a superb Hovik Keuchkerian – only serve to enhance one of the best titles in Spanish cinema this year, regardless of whether we’re talking about a short, a feature or a series made for a streaming platform.

Riot Police is a production by Movistar Plus+ (which will air it on 16 October), in conjunction with The Lab and Caballo Films.

(Translated from Spanish)